Flue-stopper.



No. 825,240. PATENTBD JULY 3, 1906. A. PIGHB. PLUE STOPPBR.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.28',1905.

INVENTOH A TTOHNE Y8 II-ll. ugmus pzrsxs :1. WASHINGTON, a. c.

car-ran MATES Parana orrroij.

FLUE-STOPPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 1906.

Application filed October 28, 1905. Serial No. 284.796-

To ail whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED PIOI-IE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sault Ste. Marie, in the county of Chippewa and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved F lueStopper, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for closing stovepipe and other similar holes leading into smoke flues or chimneys, and has for its object a novel, improved, and simplified device of the character stated commonly known as flue-stoppers.

The invention consists of the special construction, arrangement, and combination of parts shown by the accompanying drawings and hereinafter fully described.

In the drawings, Figure l is a substantially central vertical sectional view taken through my improved flue-stopper, illustrating same in place closing the pipe-opening leading into a chimney; and Fig. 2 is a view looking at the inner or rear side of my improved fluestopper.

In the preferred form of flue-stopper, A denotes a circular or other form of front plate having a substantially U-shaped bracket B, secured to its rear side by riveting or other means.

The bracket B has its ends C C bent, as

shown in Fig. 1, adapting the arms D for attachment and suitable connection with the respective substantially crescent or half-circular plates E F.

It will be noticed that the inner edges H I of the plates E F are arranged overlapping and that when so arranged their outer edges form practically an unbroken circular body conforming to the interior of the circular opening usually employed for introduction of the end of a stovepipe.

In further carrying out my invention I provide elongated slots J K in the respective plates E F and locate same, adapted one to overlie the other, in overreaching arrangement, whereby passage-way through the plates formed by the two openings is restricted by location of the inner ends of the slots according to position of the plates.

In the slots J K, I arrange a spreader L, formed on the inner end of a rod M. The spreader device is fashioned substantially Hat and with its side edges disposed inclining to its juncture with the rod M, forming a wedge-like device, whereby upon endwise movement of the rod M the incline edges of the wedge device will engage the inner ends of the slots J K and force the plates laterally, effecting consequent enlargement of the circular body formed by the two plates E F. Now adapting the rod M to be adjusted, as above described, I elongate it adapted to project through the front plate A and screw-thread the projecting end. On the screw-threaded end of the rod M, I arrange any suitable thumb-nut N.

The construction of my improved flue stopper will be understood from the above description. Its use may be described as follows: Upon taking down a stovepipe or for closure of the flue-opening the thumbnut is turned in reverse or backward direction and the rod shoved endwise, shoving the Wedge device through the slots J K. This operation will permit contraction of the circular body formed by the two plates E F, adapting them to easily enter the flue-opening, as will be understood. Now upon inserting the plates E F of the stopper into the flue-opening and the front plate A has been seated flush against the wall the stopper is secured by turning the thumb-nut N, thereby imparting endwise movement of the rod M, drawing the Wedge device through the slots J K. This action will effect lateral movement or enlarging action of the circle defined by the outer edge of the plates E F until same form frictional engagement with the inner wall of the flue-opening. Obviously the frictional engagement of the plates E F with the wall of the flue-opening may be increased by further turning of the thumb-nut and the stopper thereby effectively locked in place.

It will be noticed that the plates E'F are adapted for forming complete stoppage of the flue-openingin whatsoever position of the front plate A.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination in a flue-stopper, of a front plate, bracket-arms on the rear side of the front plate, substantially half-circular plates on the bracket-arms, the plates being arranged with inner lapping edges, and having coinciding slots, a wedge device in the plate-slots, and means whereby the wedge device may be adjusted, effecting separating l action of said half-circular plates, substantially as described.

2. The combination in a flue-stopper, of a front plate, rear parallel stoppage-plates, means on the front plate whereby the stoppage-plates are supported, and means extending to the exterior of the front plate, whereby the stoppage-plates may beadjusted, substantially as described.

- 3. The combination in a flue-stopper, of a front plate, bracket-arms on the rear side of the front plate, parallel plates on the bracket arms, the plates being arranged with their inner edges lapping, and having elongated registering openings through said lapping edges, awedge device arranged in said reg istering openings, whereby the plates may be laterally adjusted, and a rod extending from the wedge device to the outer side of the front plate, substantially as described.

4. The combination in a flue-stopper, of a front plate, bracket-arms on the rear side of the front plate, plates on the bracket-arms arranged with inner lapping edges, and having coinciding openings, a wedge device in said openings, a rod extending from the wedge device to and through the front plate, and a thumb-nut having screw-threaded adjustment on the projecting end of said rod, substantially as described.

ALFRED PICHE.

Witnesses:

JOHN P. WESSEL, A. 0. KING. 

